NSW Artificial Limb Service update Sandeep Gupta (Acting) Manager, ALS

Overview Fact sheets RRD working party Interim program Rural interim working party

Fact sheets 4 are available through the Enable website –How to obtain an artificial limb –Caring for your residual limb –Falls –Pain There are more in the pipeline –Caring for prosthetic limb (upper and lower) –Services for amputees (3 pages) –Driving following amputation

RRD working party Second monthly meetings (first met July) Representatives from AHS and AOPA: –Vascular surgeons –Rehab specialists –Physiotherapists –CNC –Prosthetist Discuss methods to increase uptake of RRDs at more centres

RRD working party Current strategies –Manufacture DVD –DVD distributed through Director of Clinical Operations in AHS –Target registrars at Basic and Advanced surgical training –Target hospitals that perform the majority of amputations (wollongong, liverpool, gosford) –Target surgeons Networks (Team meetings, vascular surgeons, vascular meetings/conferences/workshops) –Target physiotherapists NSW PAR Inservice programs

Interim program Slightly different each hospital –Casting to fabrication 1 week max –Casting mainly occurs in hospital –Some hospitals will send to PSP for casting –Adjustments by prosthetists, a couple of hospitals have an informal process where PTs can alter alignment –Packing can occur in hospital or limb is taken away for a day to be packed –Socket change with foam cover after 3 months How can this program be improved?

Rural interim working party Comprises: –Prosthetists –PTs –EnableNSW Has met twice since December Seeking legal advice from NSW Health re PT adjusting interims Discussion paper being prepared

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